At times certain parts of the Old Testament seem to be too cruel and primitive for us. But they are justified, as they are recognized in the realisation of the People of Israel and their promised land.
But it does not mean that Old Testament lacks mercy and forgiveness.
It is clearly seen in the first chapters of the Holy Bible that God is very kind to Adam and Eve after their disobedience; Cain who killed his Brother Abel was also secured (Gen 4, 15) by God; He was also ready to forgive the people of Sodom Gomorrah for the sake of Abraham and even for ten righteous people among them (Gen 18, 32b).
The concept of Jubilee year in Leviticus (25ff) is based on Mercy and freedom.
In the book of 2 Samuel 16, 5 ff we read, “When King David came to Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out whose name was Shimei son of Gera; he came out cursing. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David” and the reaction of David was “… Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord has bidden him...”
We see here a David- the great fighter and King who forgives…
David was also very merciful to Saul his predecessor and Absalom his own son- both were chasing for the life of David…still he was good to them…
And as a reward David receives God’s mercy for his sins.
Forgiving among the Jews can be divided in to 3: Forgiving debts, forgiving of heart and Purification or (atonement by God only).
The Talmud - a vast collection of Jewish laws and traditions; they are the pillars of Judaism- states: “All who act mercifully (i.e. forgivingly) toward their fellow creatures will be treated mercifully by Heaven, and all who do not act mercifully toward their fellow creatures will not be treated mercifully by Heaven”
If the injured party refuses to forgive even when the sinner has come before him three times in the presence of others and asked for forgiveness, then …he is called akhzari (“cruel”). The unforgiving man is not truly of the seed of Abraham.
We may see this Jewish tradition of limited three times- forgiveness, in Amos 1:3, 6, 9 and Job 33:29-30 too. Peter thought he may be doing better and much more generous than Jewish tradition by forgiving seven times.
But Jesus overtakes David, Peter and all…he says “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times“. Because he is the king of Mercy…and even on cross he proves it…he lives the Mercy and forgivingness.
There are some disputes on the number: some say it is 77 times or 70x7 or 70 times 70. It remains a linguistic issue. But leaving all these limitations we understand what Jesus really wants: he teaches it through his life: he means unlimited mercy.
The same is expressed in the talents parable: 1 Talent was around 36 Kgs of Silver in NT time. That is around 13,000 Euro. The first servant had a thousand times debt by his Master. A denarius was a common laborer's daily wage- today it may be about 3 Euros. Jesus was pointing that the first man had an enormous debt than the second one. It may be an exaggeration, just as the 70 times 70. But in all these He underlines the necessity of forgiving and Mercy.
It is not some suppression – as often criticised. It is a full and free acceptance. It is the only way to reinstate the broken links of relations between Men. It leads us to a vibrant relationship with God as it restores right relationship with God and his creation. It is upbringing us to the divine sphere of God.
Jesus’ Apostles were special in practicing and teaching this mercy. Among them St James can be called the ‘Apostle of Mercy’: He says in his letter (James 2, 13) “For judgement will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement.”
Let us feel the limitless mercy of God in our life…
Let us be the New Apostles of His mercy and Love. That is the message of the Gospel today: and that must form us to the living Gospels of Jesus. May the merciful God bless us all abundantly. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
But it does not mean that Old Testament lacks mercy and forgiveness.
It is clearly seen in the first chapters of the Holy Bible that God is very kind to Adam and Eve after their disobedience; Cain who killed his Brother Abel was also secured (Gen 4, 15) by God; He was also ready to forgive the people of Sodom Gomorrah for the sake of Abraham and even for ten righteous people among them (Gen 18, 32b).
The concept of Jubilee year in Leviticus (25ff) is based on Mercy and freedom.
In the book of 2 Samuel 16, 5 ff we read, “When King David came to Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out whose name was Shimei son of Gera; he came out cursing. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David” and the reaction of David was “… Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord has bidden him...”
We see here a David- the great fighter and King who forgives…
David was also very merciful to Saul his predecessor and Absalom his own son- both were chasing for the life of David…still he was good to them…
And as a reward David receives God’s mercy for his sins.
Forgiving among the Jews can be divided in to 3: Forgiving debts, forgiving of heart and Purification or (atonement by God only).
The Talmud - a vast collection of Jewish laws and traditions; they are the pillars of Judaism- states: “All who act mercifully (i.e. forgivingly) toward their fellow creatures will be treated mercifully by Heaven, and all who do not act mercifully toward their fellow creatures will not be treated mercifully by Heaven”
If the injured party refuses to forgive even when the sinner has come before him three times in the presence of others and asked for forgiveness, then …he is called akhzari (“cruel”). The unforgiving man is not truly of the seed of Abraham.
We may see this Jewish tradition of limited three times- forgiveness, in Amos 1:3, 6, 9 and Job 33:29-30 too. Peter thought he may be doing better and much more generous than Jewish tradition by forgiving seven times.
But Jesus overtakes David, Peter and all…he says “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times“. Because he is the king of Mercy…and even on cross he proves it…he lives the Mercy and forgivingness.
There are some disputes on the number: some say it is 77 times or 70x7 or 70 times 70. It remains a linguistic issue. But leaving all these limitations we understand what Jesus really wants: he teaches it through his life: he means unlimited mercy.
The same is expressed in the talents parable: 1 Talent was around 36 Kgs of Silver in NT time. That is around 13,000 Euro. The first servant had a thousand times debt by his Master. A denarius was a common laborer's daily wage- today it may be about 3 Euros. Jesus was pointing that the first man had an enormous debt than the second one. It may be an exaggeration, just as the 70 times 70. But in all these He underlines the necessity of forgiving and Mercy.
It is not some suppression – as often criticised. It is a full and free acceptance. It is the only way to reinstate the broken links of relations between Men. It leads us to a vibrant relationship with God as it restores right relationship with God and his creation. It is upbringing us to the divine sphere of God.
Jesus’ Apostles were special in practicing and teaching this mercy. Among them St James can be called the ‘Apostle of Mercy’: He says in his letter (James 2, 13) “For judgement will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement.”
Let us feel the limitless mercy of God in our life…
Let us be the New Apostles of His mercy and Love. That is the message of the Gospel today: and that must form us to the living Gospels of Jesus. May the merciful God bless us all abundantly. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
